Tide hoops players have high praise for new teammate Devonta Pollard

Devonta Pollard was rated a five-star prospect when he signed with Alabama in the spring of 2012. (Photo courtesy of 247Sports)

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball squad has spent the offseason quietly preparing for another run at the NCAA Tournament. But while the 2012-13 Tide squad is likely to fly under the radar heading into the season, the returning players on the team believe the Tide's lone newcomer, forward Devonta Pollard, could be a game changer.

"He's really athletic. He's living up to all the hype," Steele said.
"He's going to play a huge part. Obviously as a freshman it's going to
be tough, but before the year's over with he's going to be a real big
part of our success so we're glad to have him."

Eblen said he believes Pollard, a 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward from De Kalb, Mississippi, has a chance to step in right away and become a major impact player for Anthony Grant with the loss of JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell to the NBA.

Also of note, returning big man Moussa Gueye told The Crimson White that he is making major strides in recovering more fully from the torn ACL he suffered in August of 2011, an injury which hampered him for much of last season.

"My body wasn't feeling right the way it was [during the season]. But
now I'm getting better with the help of the trainers," Gueye said. "Not 100
[percent], but I'm getting close."

Read the full report on the Alabama basketball team's summer activities from The Crimson White.